The Disaster Recovery Centers in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Hernando, Polk and Suwannee counties will be closed on Sundays starting Sunday, Nov. 17.

​Center locations:
Citrus County
West Citrus Community Center
8940 W. Veterans Drive
Homosassa, FL 34448
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Columbia County
Lake City Reporter
180 E. Duval St.
Lake City, FL 32055
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Dixie County
Old Town Education Center
841 SE 349 Highway
Old Town, FL 32680
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Hernando County
West Hernando Branch Library
6335 Blackbird Ave.
Brooksville, FL 34613
Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
 
Polk County
UF/IFAS Extension Office-W.H. Stuart Center
1710 US-17 S
Bartow, FL 33830
Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
 
Suwannee County
Hale Park
215 Duval St. NE
Live Oak, FL 32064
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday

To find other center locations go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.

Survivors do not need to visit a center to apply for assistance. Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

As of November 14, 2024, hurricane debris haulers, Ashbritt, LLC, have collected 384,560 total cubic yards of debris from Hurricane Milton.
 
“Polk County spans more than 2,000 square miles, so there’s a lot of ground to cover,” said Michel Teate, Polk County’s Roads and Drainage Manager. “We urge residents to have hurricane debris curbside, by Dec. 1. Otherwise, debris may not be picked up.”
 
Polk County residents must have hurricane debris separated into categories and placed curbside no later than Sunday, Dec. 1. Residents should separate debris into the following categories: Vegetative debris, construction and demolition, appliances and white goods, electronics and household hazardous waste.
 
Residents may continue utilizing drop-off sites through Dec. 1; after that they will close. Additionally, the North Central Transfer Station will no longer accept hurricane-related debris at no cost after close of business on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 12:30 p.m. For locations and hours please visit: www.polk-county.net/news/hurricane-milton-debris-pickup-and-dropoff-options/.
 
“I know residents are anxious to have their debris removed, but there are still parts of the county that Hurricane Milton left inaccessible.” said John Bohde, Deputy County Manager.
 
Residents are reminded that the hauling equipment that picks up the debris cannot navigate under overhead power lines, low-hanging tree branches or piles that are too close to mailboxes, tree trunks, fences or other permanent objects. If cars are parked in front of hurricane debris, haulers cannot collect your debris pile.
 
“We set an ambitious goal to have debris removal completed by November, and the reality is, it is looking more like December,” said Bohde. “As haulers continue collecting debris throughout the county, we ask for your patience. Please know that your hurricane debris will be collected.”
 
The Polk County Hurricane Milton Debris Removal Dashboard provides updated information about where crews are working in the county: https://tt-emi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/ac42fa5c4bfb475d966d19dbf575bf2f.In early December, the dashboard will transition and allow residents to see the areas where debris collection has been completed.

FEMA assistance can help people who are self-employed, including artists, musicians and mechanics. Independent contractors are considered self-employed.

To be considered for FEMA assistance, you must be a resident of or work in a county designated for FEMA Individual Assistance following Hurricanes Milton, Helene or Debby. You must also have had damage or losses as a result of the Florida hurricanes.
Eligible Occupational Tools

FEMA can help replace tools and equipment required for self-employment, or not provided by an employer but required for employment. Eligible tools may include:

• Computers
• Equipment such as power tools, art materials, musical instruments, tractors, utility vehicles, lawnmowers and ladders
• Uniforms

You may be reimbursed for these items if they were damaged by the disaster, you do not have another working piece of equipment or item, and the loss was not covered by insurance.

An inspection is required to review the damage to essential tools/materials. If you have damage to personal property or essential tools, include this information on your FEMA application and notify the inspector of damage at the time of inspection.

Required Documents
To be eligible for self-employment assistance, apply for FEMA assistance. When you apply, include:

• Documentation that proves you’re self-employed, such as a tax return
• Insurance documents for all potential coverages and benefits
• Itemized receipts or estimates for repairing or replacing the requested items
• A written statement that explains you need the items for self-employment

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. If you choose to apply by phone, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters.Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

If you applied to FEMA after Hurricanes Debby or Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage.

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

The Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program began on October 31 and will distribute $5 million worth of grants to 1,000 small businesses (including chambers of commerce) within the impacted areas, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Click here to access full eligibility details and other frequently asked questions.

The deadline to apply is November 17 at 11:59 pm. Grants will not be awarded on a first-come-first served basis, but applying early is always a good idea.   
​
 Click here to begin your application (you will need your W-9 and a voided blank check or signed bank letter with your business account information to verify banking details). 

WHO: City of Lakeland and Lake Bonny Residents
WHAT:  Lake Bonny Public Meeting
WHY: To hear from Lake Bonny residents
WHEN: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
WHERE: City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 228 S. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801
 

The City of Lakeland will host a public meeting for Lake Bonny residents that have been impacted by flooding due to Hurricane Milton.  The meeting will take place November 6, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lakeland City Commission Chambers located at City Hall, 228 South Massachusetts Avenue. The purpose of the meeting is to provide current information regarding the flooding situation and to hear from Lake Bonny residents who are still experiencing flood conditions.
 
There will be a presentation from City Manager, Shawn Sherrouse to start the meeting and then the floor will open for residents to voice concerns.  FEMA and other resource agencies will be on site. During Hurricane Milton, the Lakeland area experienced over 12 inches of rain in 24 hours taxing the City’s stormwater and natural drainage systems.